Salazar assigned Ronaldo Gomez, chief of the Mindanao Field Office, as OIC when he went on leave although Malacañang had already named ERC Commissioner Geronimo Sta. Ana to the post.

“So this is the insubordination part. The Office of the President has jurisdiction over chair Salazar and [he’s being penalized] for his disobedience,” she said.

“Thus, Salazar is meted out the penalty of suspension for a period of four months without pay,” she added.

Preventive suspension

Banaag said the suspension order was different from the 90-day preventive suspension issued by Medialdea last May against Salazar after he was slapped with about half a dozen administrative charges.

Salazar was charged with serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, gross insubordination, violations of the Government Procurement Act and violation of the Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Medialdea said the order for preventive suspension was issued so that Salazar could not influence the investigation.